Diageo-owned Stitzel-Weller Distillery has unveiled its most exclusive bourbon to date: I.W. Harper 34 Year Old, the oldest and rarest expression ever released under the historic I.W. Harper label. Bottled from just four barrels and released at 63.1% ABV cask strength, this extraordinary whiskey marks a new milestone in the brand’s 150-year legacy.
Founded in the 1870s by German-Jewish immigrant brothers Isaac Wolfe and Bernard Bernheim, I.W. Harper emerged as a national favourite by the late 19th century. Though originally launched under a pseudonym due to the brothers’ concerns about market bias, the brand quickly gained acclaim for its quality and refinement. Over the decades, I.W. Harper survived Prohibition, became a best-seller in post-war Japan, and eventually returned to the U.S. in 2015 after a 20-year absence.
The new 34 Year Old expression is drawn from four barrels that were aged in their entirety at Stitzel-Weller since 1989. While Diageo cannot confirm if they were originally distilled at Stitzel-Weller, the barrels were always designated for I.W. Harper, according to Nicole Austin, director of American whiskey development at Diageo.
Only 11 bottles have been filled from the barrels. Of these, just 5 bottles are available for sale, exclusively via Sotheby’s auction in New York. Bidding is open now through Thursday, August 7th at sothebys.com, with each bottle estimated at $3,000–$5,000.
Proceeds from the auction will benefit Native Son, an organization that uplifts and supports Black gay and queer men. The charitable recipient was personally selected by Colman Domingo—award-winning actor, director, and philanthropist—who partnered with I.W. Harper for this release.
This ultra-limited offering represents not only a rare collectible in the bourbon world but a meaningful collaboration celebrating heritage, identity, and impact.
